The assassination was performed on the orders of Raghunathrao, whose message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai.
According to popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi word dharaa (धरा) or 'hold' (actual phrase in Marathi - " नारायणरावांना धरा"/"Narayanrao-ana dhara").
This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read as maaraa (मारा) or 'kill' .
The miscommunication led the Gardis to chase Narayanrao, who, upon hearing them coming, started running towards his uncles' residence screaming, "Kaka!
Sumer Singh Gardi died mysteriously at Patna in 1775.